A stop at this quintessentially Cambridge bar can make the territory between Harvard and Central seem a lot less like Siberia, even on a frigid winter night. The inside reveals an all-too-snug bar packed with the proletariat—and a sprinkling of area college students. An unassuming crowd is inviting to all; if you're having a bad hair day, it's too dark for anyone to notice, but be careful, since wayward darts might zip your way. (The dart boards are a carryover from long ago when the space was Drumlins, a towny darts bar.) People's is a great destination after the Cellar closes at 1am. All pint-sized drafts and bottles $4, Bud just $2.50. No cover. Cash only. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

This buzzing, convivial spot, with a pool table, dart board, and Irish-tinged décor, is one of the most happening spots around. A carefree crowd of 30-something professionals and erstwhile grad students gathers in 3 warmly and eclectically decorated rooms to linger for hours over pints ($3.75) and mixed drinks ($4.50). This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard. The authentically Irish destination is famous for its "flaming Irish Car Bombs"--a take on the usual Car Bomb--and less-than-steller restrooms.

Always crowded, always loud, and always great fun, The Plough attracts college sorts and working types alike for a good pint of British or Irish ale. A 20oz. “Imperial Pint” of Guinness is $4, a pint of Bud is $2.75. The Plough's satellite hookup allows it to show English football matches on its 2 TVs; don't be surprised to rub elbows with loud ex-pats from across the pond. Live music kicks off every night around 9pm and Sa 4-7pm, usually featuring local rock or bluegrass bands. Cover Th-Sa up to $6 once the music starts. For a complete listing of entertainment, check out their calendar.Believe it or not, it's a bistrot by day; lunch menu includes chowder ($3+) and ribs ($8). A great Central Square hangout. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Welcome to the secret society of the Cambridge elite. The Enormous Room is so exclusive, it doesn't even have a sign on the door. Look for the door next to Central Kitchen with an elephant on it and head up the stairs to a spacious expanse of avant-garde heaven. Depending on the DJ of the night, funk, house, soul, or blues plays in the background while grad students sit cross-legged around “enormous plates”—trays of appetizers including hummus and grape leaves, goat cheese-pine nut briouats, salmon skewers, and anything the chef feels like adding ($14, vegetarian $12). Drinks are more than reasonable, so feel free to sample the ever-popular Stoli Raspberry ($6). This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Tucked away on otherwise lonely River St., this seemingly innocuous bar is anything but ordinary. Nightly live music cascades off the classically themed decor (including a multitude of masks to stare at and thrones to sit in) as patrons sip from the multitude of excellent beers on tap ($3+). Cozy, playful, and a bit unusual, River Gods is not to be missed. Click on their websiteto view music and special events.
This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

The Phoenix delivers a uniquely hip fusion with “pub-style club music” of every possible genre (live music Tu and Th, Top 40 F). Vinyl tablecloths and funky recessed red lights set the stage for dancing college kids and chill twentysomethings. Typical bar fare until 10pm. The Phoenix opens earlier when English football plays on the weekend. Appetizers only $3.50 from 5-7pm, and Irish Breakfast is served on Sa. Beer and limited cocktails $4.25. Cover $3-5. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

The Garden at the Cellar is run by celebrated Boston chef Will Gilson. It is a gastropub that is defined as A gastropub is a British term for a public house ("pub") which specialises in high-quality food a step above the more basic "pub grub." Gastropubs usually have an atmosphere which is relaxed and a focus on offering a particular cuisine prepared as well as it is in the best restaurants. Staying true to the format requires a menu that complements the assortment of beers and wines the gastropub offers. Some describe gastropubs as the Anglo-equivalent of the French brasserie. Hours of operation: Tuesday-Saturday 5:00pm-11:00pm

The Cellar is the best place on a weekday night to gather a gaggle of rowdy friends. Wonderfully friendly barstaff happily permit all manner of revelry, even interpretive dancing around the bar's two large poles. Brick walls and low lighting provide a cozy atmosphere. The mood is relaxed and the beer cheap ($2.25-3.50); $4 will get you one of their 10 beers on tap, including Sierra Nevada, Pilsner Urquell, Bass, Guinness, or Newcastle. Be sure to sample barman Greg's “rum explosion,” a mandatory rite of passage. Live performances on the weekends make it worth the short trek away from the Square. Upstairs, they offer a Su brunch. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

For such a popular Rock nightclub, who knew that the food could be amazing? One of the top places one must go to before leaving Boston. Opened as a Lebanese restaurant in 1970, the Middle East spans three storefronts filled with throngs of patch-covered jackets and wallet chains who come to enjoy a provocative symbiosis of sensuous Middle-eastern cuisine (falafel sandwiches $3.75), belly-dancing (W), and cutting-edge modern American rock and punk acts. Featuring live bands every night, the Middle East is a major landmark on any tour of Boston's alternative music scene, with no less than 3 separate stages. Local and regional bands, including Harvard's own, play in the small upstairs area, while larger names grace the more spacious downstairs. Music ranges from ska to hip-hop, but leans in favor of experimental acts testing the limits of what can be called music. Good selection of foreign and domestic beers (bottles $3.50). Cover $8-10 upstairs, $12-25 downstairs. Check the website for a full list of musical acts. The restaurant area features acoustic performances and folk music and never charges a cover. The two eating areas inside the club provide delicious and affordable middle eastern food. For fancier edibles, check out ZuZu which is a part of the Middle East complex but has its own distinct personality. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Named after the owner's teddy bear hamster Tough Teddy, T.T. the Bears Place was voted 'Best of Boston,' by Boston Magazine. T.T.'s has live music seven nights a week and showcases everything from candypop to heavy metal. It's a friendly bar decorated with cubist artwork and fairy lights. Check the website or go to T.T.s for a monthly schedule. Who knows, maybe they'll hit it big; after all, Letters to Cleo got their start here. Cover ranges from free to $30 (cash only, with tickets for some shows available through Ticketmaster). All shows are 18+, making T.T.s a great place for the under- and over-21 crowd to mix. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard. Tucked down a side street in Central Square, T.T.'s has provided a venue for small musical acts of all genres since the late 1970s. Several huge bands--including Nirvana, who performed for only 13 people--played their first area show here. The crowd depends wholly on the entertainment, as one night might bring up-and-coming indie rockers, and the next a goth act or an acoustic folk duo. On Feb. 13th, they are hosting a "Vampy Valentine's day" for a bit of a Gothic/Vampire celebration to the holiday....